Perry Township Trustee

Elected to office in November 2006, Gary S. Coons began his first term as Perry Township Trustee January 1, 2007. Although this is the first elected position Trustee Coons has held he is no newcomer to public service. In 1991 he joined the fire service in Marion County. His career as a firefighter began at Franklin Township Fire Department, where he served as Lieutenant of Operations. In 1998 he left Franklin Township and filled the role of Injury Prevention and Public Information Officer for his hometown fire department in the City of Beech Grove. After retiring in 2006 from the fire service he decided to run for Perry Township Trustee and was successful in doing so by being elected with 68% of the vote.

Throughout Trustee Coons' career he has been a leader to others in various capacities. For ten years, he not only was a member of Indiana Task Force One but also was a team leader, program

manager, and FEMA and SEMA liaison. While at Beech Grove Fire Department he was elected Beech Grove District President for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Professional Firefighters Association and was a member of the executive board. He lead the district union members, organized projects, raised money, and negotiated the first collective bargaining agreement for the City of Beech Grove firefighters and communication employees.

Leadership development has been an important factor in Trustee Coons' career. He has prepared himself for leadership roles through many educational outlets; he has received leadership training from the University of South Carolina, Executive Officer Training from the United States Department of Homeland Security, been trained in terrorism preparedness and emergency management, and trained in civic leadership through the Indiana Leadership Forum. His formal education includes an Associates Degree in Public Safety from Ivy Tech State College and study in Organizational Leadership and Supervision from the Purdue School of Engineering - Indiana University (IUPUI).

Trustee Coons is a member of Servants Heart, National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Academy Alumni Association, Indianapolis Retired Firefighters Association, and Lincoln Roundtable. Recognized for his professional and community service, he has received several awards and acknowledgements. These include the Governor's Workplace Safety Award, Beech Grove Fire Department Firefighter of the Year in both 2002 and 2003, Extraordinary Personal Action Award from the American Red Cross, Presidential Academic Fitness Award, State of Indiana Community Service Award, and Beech Grove Community Service Award.

Trustee Coons and his wife are raising their three children in Perry Township.